Psychology (Developmental and Educational) BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  This Psychology Developmental and Educational degree has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG3 Good Health and Wellbeing.

  This educational and developmental psychology degree offers you:

  • a flexible psychology degree offering specialist coverage of educational and developmental psychology
  • built-in opportunities for work-based experience
  • an accreditation from the British Psychological Society – the first step to a career as a psychologist
  • excellent student support and accessible staff
  • blended teaching approaches and assessment methods

  Developmental and Educational Psychology are combined in this single honours BSc course to provide you with useful knowledge and experience needed to work in educational psychology, clinical psychology, teaching or research. This course offers you a unique springboard for further study or future training. It will help you to develop a range of transferable skills including analytical and research skills.

  There are two clear strands to the psychology developmental and educational degree. The first strand covers general psychology in areas such as social, cognitive and biological psychology which underpin the specialist developmental and educational work. The second strand is comprised of specific developmental and educational modules. There will be work-based learning built into a module taken in each year of your course. You are also encouraged to seek additional work experience through paid employment or voluntary work.

  If you are wishing to pursue a career in teaching, educational psychology or education related fields then this course will help you develop your knowledge and skills that can be transferred to these areas. However, you would not be restricted to career choices in these areas. The degree still enables you to access the full range of careers available to those studying the general Psychology course. This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered (GBC) membership, provided that you meet the minimum standard of a second class honours in your degree. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist, and allows you to pursue professional training in clinical, educational, forensic, sports and counselling psychology.

  Stage one

  In stage one you will gain an introduction to the subject by studying the range of different psychological areas and different research approaches. The practical applications of psychology are also studied in the first year.

  Stage one consists of six compulsory modules. The modules introduce the major theoretical approaches to understanding human behaviour. This includes biological approaches, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology and social psychology. There is also a focus on your skill development, and how psychology can be applied to improve people’s lives and well-being.

  Stage two

  In the second stage the subject is studied in much more depth, both in the development of research skills and in the study of developmental and educational psychology.

  Stage two provides a wide range of 20 credit modules allowing you to study the core areas of psychology in detail. All modules are compulsory.

  After completing Stage two you are given the opportunity to undertake an optional Placement Year.

  Stage three

  The third stage provides you with an opportunity to specialise in specific areas of psychology, both in terms of personal research and the selection of course modules. There are compulsory modules in Educational Psychology, Lifespan Development, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health. You will also be able to choose one module from Neuroscience of Mind, The Psychology of Mental Health and Applying Positive Psychology. You will also complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice within developmental and educational psychology.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1
    • Psychology in Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1001

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to applications of psychological knowledge in the real world. It aims to help students acquire knowledge and understanding of theory and research relating to key topics in Applied Psychology and to develop the critical skills necessary to the evaluation of different approaches within Applied Psychology.
    • Introduction to Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1003

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with a broad understanding of psychology by introducing four core areas (social, developmental, cognitive and biological psychology). Students will develop critical thinking and evaluative skills of psychological material by focusing on theory, empirical research and real-life examples.
    • Becoming a Psychologist (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1006

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide a fundamental introduction to research design, analysis and interpretation in psychology. Students need to understand common methods of investigation, in order to appreciate the source and context of theories and research findings encountered in specific subject areas studied in other psychology modules.
    • Investigating Developmental Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1008

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop critical engagement with original psychological materials in Developmental and Educational Psychology, and develop knowledge and understanding of how developmental psychological theory and principles can be applied in educational contexts.
    • Positive Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1011

      Status: Compulsory
      This module aims to develop student?s intra-and-inter-personal skills through exploring Positive Psychology theory and application and increasing self-awareness. Throughout the module, you will gain understanding for how these are experienced, how we relate to them, and what psychology has begun to understand about them.
    • Psychology for Life (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY1012

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to be personally relevant to students? psychological studies and enable them to start to build psychological literacy - using psychological skills and knowledge to solve real-world problems and interact ethically and responsibly with others.
  • Stage 2
    • Research Methods and Statistics (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2005

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to continue development in research skills established in ?Becoming a Psychologist? (PSY1006). Students will increase psychological competency in preparation for the dissertation via engaging in ethical thinking and enhancing core skills at all levels of the research process
    • Independent Research in Developmental and Educational Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2017

      Status: Compulsory
      This module intends to develop students? ability to design, conduct and report independent research in Developmental and Educational Psychology, and to develop effective group working skills. It introduces students to practical and ethical issues associated with independently developing research ideas, designing and conducting research projects based on relevant psychological literature.
    • The Psychology of Learning and Teaching in Educational Settings (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2025

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to view education from a psychological perspective and to become aware of the ways in which Psychology can be used to understand and to improve learning and teaching. Students will spend time observing and/or participating in an educational environment, which could be a school, college, training environment or other relevant setting.
    • Biological and Cognitive Psychology: Mechanisms of the Mind (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2029

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to build on the introduction to biological and cognitive approaches in psychology provided in Introduction to Psychology (PSY1003). It introduces new and more complex material with a view to developing students' knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of the theories and research applied in these approaches
    • Development and Society (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2030

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to build on the Social and Developmental Psychology material introduced in the Level 4 module PSY1003 - Introduction to Psychology. This module covers contemporary and critical perspectives related to development across the lifespan within complex social worlds and will be of interest to students wishing to deepen their knowledge of theories, research and methods in Social and Developmental Psychology.
    • Personality & the Fundamentals of Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2031

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to build upon material presented at Level 4 by tracing the historical development of Psychology as an academic discipline and exploring key theories and research in personality and individual differences. Special consideration will be given to conceptual issues that continue to generate debate.
  • Stage 3
    • Psychology of Mental Health (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3004

      Status: Designate
      This module aims to explore contemporary understandings of mental health and experience of individuals with mental health disorders. The module explores social, ethical, and scientific issues around the field of mental health and offers an environment for students to engage in critical analysis and debate.
    • Educational Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3023

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop an understanding and critical appreciation of relevant theory, research and practice within Educational Psychology, and provide the opportunity for advanced study of the psychology of education with practical experience of applying such knowledge in an educational context.
    • Child and Adolescent Mental Health (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3026

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to review a range of theoretical approaches to the understanding of child & adolescent mental health. Students will develop a critical understanding of the nature of CAMH work, with a particular emphasis on the multifactorial nature of mental health in children & young people.
    • Lifespan Development (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3053

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop a critical appreciation of the strengths and limitations of key psychological theory and research in the area of lifespan development, and develop knowledge and understanding of a range of psychological issues relevant to children?s, adolescent?s and adult?s lives.
    • Neuroscience of Mind (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3054

      Status: Designate
      This module builds on the biological approaches to Psychology introduced in the second year Biological Psychology module PSY2011. It introduces newer and more complex material with a view to developing students? knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of the theories and methods applied in these approaches.
    • Applying Positive Psychology (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3055

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to build on, and extend, the knowledge acquired by students at levels four and five. It will examine, critically, the impact of positive psychological processes in families, organizations and communities and evaluate how these may help or hinder the development of individual and collective strengths.
    • The Psychology of Work and Organisations (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3063

      Status: Designate
      This module introduces the principal theories and applications of occupational psychology. It is designed to help students develop a critical understanding of theories and a systematic approach to appliations of psychology, and promotes the development of employability skills that will give students a competitive edge in the labour market.
    • Psychology (Developmental and Educational) Dissertation (40 Credits)
      Module code: PSY4006

      Status: Compulsory
      The dissertation builds on and expands students' prior knowledge of research in Developmental and Educational methodology acquired in at levels four and five. It aims to foster the development of expertise in methodology and skills in the planning, conduct and write-up of research reports. This form of independent, experiential learning will require students to ask logical questions to diagnose and define problems, generate and implement solutions and evaluate the effectiveness of their action-outcomes. It therefore develops in the students the ability to work independently, and to reflect on the subject-specific research process.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Psychology, education and development, degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four-year programme that includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• FAQs

  What is developmental and educational psychology?

  Developmental psychology is the scientific study of changes that occur in humans over the lifespan and understanding how and why they happen. Educational psychology involves the application of psychological theory and research to understand learning and improve educational experiences. In the Psychology (Developmental and Educational) degree at The University of Northampton, you get to develop more specialised knowledge of these areas within your psychology programme.

  What can I do with a Developmental and Educational Psychology degree?

  With a psychology degree, you can specialise within different pathways and develop within an area of your choice in the field of psychology. Upon completion of this course, and depending on degree classification, you will be eligible for a British Psychological Society (BPS) Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). This is the first step in pursuing professional training as an educational, clinical, counselling, occupational, health or forensic psychologist. You could pursue a career as an academic psychologist, conducting research and teaching in higher education. More information about psychology careers can be found on the BPS website.

  However, within this Developmental and Educational Psychology course, you can also choose to follow various career paths outside of the psychological profession. The invaluable set of skills and knowledge base that psychology students gain throughout this course enables them to succeed in a range of careers.

  The work-based elements of this programme provide valuable career based skills. As well as our annual Psychology Careers Event, at the University of Northampton, we also offer other volunteering opportunities through our Changemaker Hub, Employability Plus recognition, STEAM Opportunities and support from our careers team.

  What do graduates of the programme tend to do afterwards?

  Our Developmental and Educational Psychology graduates have gone into a range of professions. These include educational psychology, clinical psychology, teaching, special educational needs, academic research, health (such as paramedic science, occupational therapy), mental health and early years provision.

  I don’t know what career I want to pursue yet. Will this Developmental and Educational Psychology degree programme limit my options when I graduate?

  No. Although this is a specialised Psychology degree, it still maintains all of the flexibility that you would have with a straight Psychology programme. The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, meaning you are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) when you graduate (assuming you achieve a 2.2 or above). This means that you could go into any of the professional areas of psychology (as detailed on the BPS website).

  In addition, the knowledge and skills you gain through a psychology degree are also valued in a range of careers outside of Psychology. Transferrable skills that you can expect to develop across the course include critical thinking, writing and computer literacy. You will also become an effective communicator in a variety of different channels with thorough and ethical research practices. These skills are transferable across many different careers and therefore gives you the opportunity to develop yourself towards any route you would like to pursue. This is one of the main draws for a degree in Psychology. The skills that are acquired are widely applicable to many careers, so you are not limited to just working within psychology.

  How is this programme different to studying single hons Psychology?

  The Psychology (Developmental and Educational) programme is a pathway degree. This means that it follows the backbone of a standard Psychology degree but enables students to specialise in their chosen area of the subject along the way. You will cover all the core curriculum of a Psychology degree that is needed to meet the professional accreditation requirements, but you also get to study specialist modules in the field of developmental and educational psychology in each stage of the programme. You will be part of a smaller cohort of students studying this specialist pathway, and there are bespoke modules you take just for this route. Other modules will be taken alongside other Psychology students. This means you get the best of both worlds. You get to experience doing a Psychology degree and all that this involves, but you also will also be part of a group of students who have a specific interest in developmental and educational psychology and want to study these aspects in more depth.

  How long is the degree?

  The Developmental and Educational Psychology route here at the University is between 3-6 years, depending on your availability to study. This gives you the time to develop a foundational knowledge of psychology and appropriate research skills and develop towards the areas that are of interest to you. You will also have the time and support to explore career opportunities and areas of expertise, alongside our staff team.

  Are there work placements?

  Yes. The Developmental and Educational Psychology programme has work-based learning opportunities incorporated into each stage of the degree. During stage one, there is a short work experience placement in an educational setting to complete as part of a module assessment. This is expanded in stage two where you undertake a slightly longer educational work-based experience. In stage three, there is a module with an extensive applied experience in an educational setting. We also run an optional placement year, between stages two and three, giving you the opportunity to strengthen career skills alongside your degree, should you so wish.

  How will I learn?

  Teaching methods on the Psychology Development and Educational course include an innovative, active blended approach to learning. These methods make the acquisition of knowledge more dynamic and flexible for students than ever before. This involves face-to-face seminars, tutorials, practical or laboratory workshops and computer assisted learning. Independent and group work will be supplemented with online seminars, self-directed learning and virtual tasks.

  You are encouraged to actively engage and participate with your course material both online and in class discussions to further enhance your learning. This includes a willingness to complete independent study alongside attending your classes. Practical work represents an important component of the educational and developmental psychology course in each of your three years of study. Throughout the course, you are exposed to different research approaches and will develop an ability to apply both quantitative and qualitative techniques to research questions. We have extensive online resources that support face-to-face contact in class.

  You are taught by experienced, well-qualified staff that are experts within their disciplines. Staff in the Subject Group are active researchers, producing research that is nationally and internationally recognised.

  How am I assessed?

  A variety of assessment strategies are used at each level to ascertain your level of competence in a range of academic and transferable skills. These strategies include essays, practical reports, multiple-choice tests, oral presentations, time-constrained essays, seen and unseen examinations, critical reviews, group project work, patchwork blogs, audio-visual presentations, and reflective reports, for example.

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